Diplomas in hand, New Jersey students crossed the graduation stage at higher rates last year — making gains school officials attribute to shifts in culture and curriculum.

Statewide, 89.7 percent of high school graduates in 2015 earned a diploma in four years, an increase from 88.6 percent the year prior, according to graduation data released Wednesday. In Monmouth County, Asbury Park High, Keansburg High and Keyport High saw some of the most marked improvements in their graduation rates. Most high schools in Ocean also improved, though by smaller margins.

Asbury Park High School soared by 17 percentage points, graduating 66 percent of its students last year compared with 49 percent in 2014.

"It's different leadership, different motivation, different programs that are coming to the district," said Diteko Hammary, a parent of a senior at the high school. "The morale is different with the students — now you see a sense of responsibility, accountability. The children, they are excited again about going to school."

The school remains among the lower performers in the state; most high schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties continue graduating students above the state average.

"While we are appreciative of this small milestone, we will not rest on our laurels," Asbury Park Schools Superintendent Lamont Repollet said. "We recognize that we have a long way to go as we continue to work each day to ‘Build A Brighter Future’ for all of our students."

Henry Hudson Regional School also saw a spike in graduation rates, with 93.9 percent of students earning diplomas in 2015, compared with 85.5 percent the year before. In Keansburg, 87 percent of students earned a diploma last year, up from 80 percent in 2014.

"We’ve been working hard to increase the rigor, the instructional effectiveness of the staff and home in on building relationships with kids, making sure kids know that staff members believe in them," said Michelle Derpich, principal of Keansburg High.

Keyport High had an 86 percent graduation rate last year, up from 80.7 percent the year prior.

"We’ve made some very big changes in the district," said Lisa Savoia, Keyport schools superintendent, citing new academies, competitive electives and an infusion of technology. "It’s the entire school community; it's the increase of academic opportunity; it’s the commitment of our families."

Graduation rates are calculated using a federal methodology that tracks the percentage of students who graduate in four years along with their ninth-grade peers.

Statewide, graduation rates among African-American, Hispanic and Asian students also saw increases, but gaps between minority groups and whites remain. Last year, 81.5 percent of African-Americans graduated, compared with 78.9 percent in 2014. For Hispanics, 82.8 percent graduated, up from 80.6 percent in 2014. In 2015, 96.5 percent of Asian students graduated, versus 96.2 the previous year. Ninety-four percent of white students graduated, compared with 93.5 percent in 2014.

Three Monmouth County vocational schools graduated 100 percent of its students in 2015. Across the state, only 19 high schools earned that distinction.

Schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties that saw lower graduation rates only saw small dips. Barnegat High had an 85.8 percent graduation rate last year, compared to 89.1 percent the year prior. Colts Neck High also saw a three-percentage-point dip, graduating 93.4 percent of students last year, versus 96.7 percent in 2014.

“We all should be proud of the work our teachers and school leaders have done to help make sure our students have the opportunity to graduate from high school ready to take the next step in their lives,” state Education Commissioner David C. Hespe said in a statement. “This administration has been committed to improving the college and career readiness of New Jersey’s graduating students, and today is further proof that our students and educators are aggressively working towards meeting that goal.”

Karen Yi: 732-643-4277; kyi@gannettnj.com

Monmouth County high schools with top 2015 graduation rates:

Communications High School - 100 percent

Academy of Allied Heath & Science - 100 percent

Biotechnology High School - 100 percent

High Technology High School - 98.4 percent

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School - 98.4 percent

Ocean County high schools with top 2015 graduation rates:

Marine Academy of Technology & Environmental Sciences - 98.6 percent

Performing Arts Academy - 98.2 percent

Point Pleasant Beach High - 96.5 percent

New Egypt High - 96.5 percent

Jackson Memorial High - 94 percent

CLOSE

Everyone from President Obama to SNL alum Maya Rudolph spoke at graduations in 2015. Hear the comments that had us laughing all the way to the podium.